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Once I launched PhotoPacks.AI, I did not have a crew or funding. Simply an concept: supply studio-quality headshots, powered by AI, for a fraction of the price of a standard photograph shoot. As we speak, the product works, and it is rising steadily. However I’ve discovered numerous classes the exhausting manner.
Listed below are seven errors I made early on, and what I might do otherwise if I needed to begin over.
1. I attempted to construct for everybody, and transformed nobody
At first, my startup provided every little thing: headshots, modeling pictures, pet portraits, fantasy scenes. I figured, if AI might generate it, why not let folks select?
However after I confirmed it to associates and tried to promote it, no person understood what it was for. Zero conversions. The repair? I centered the product round one clear worth: skilled headshots. That change alone made the product click on with customers, and gross sales adopted. I discovered to be particular and located {that a} clear, centered message converts higher than a broad one.
Begin with a centered, singular use case. The extra apparent the worth, the sooner you may get traction. You’ll be able to at all times increase later, however do not launch vast and imprecise.
2. I underpriced — and it backfired
I began with a $9.99 value level as a result of I did not need to scare folks away. I apprehensive that elevating costs would enhance refund charges or kill momentum. However that attracted low-intent clients, elevated refund requests and made the product really feel low cost.
Once I raised the worth, gross sales did not drop — they acquired higher. Folks handled the product extra significantly. Refunds dropped. Income grew.
Check increased pricing sooner than you suppose. Pricing sends a sign. If you happen to’re fixing an actual downside, value with confidence, not concern.
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3. I dealt with every little thing myself for too lengthy
I dealt with assist tickets, wrote copy, managed uptime, ran adverts, pushed code — all in someday. It wasn’t sustainable. Finally, I outsourced key items and purchased again my time. It let me give attention to technique, product and progress.
Do not confuse “solo” with “doing all of it.” Delegate repetitive duties early. Defend your cognitive bandwidth — it is your most dear useful resource.
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4. I over-engineered the primary model
I spent months perfecting options earlier than launch, together with ones nobody had requested for. I needed it to look polished and spectacular from day one.
Wanting again, I ought to have launched an easier model a lot earlier and formed the product round actual person suggestions. The bells and whistles can wait. What issues most is whether or not folks need what you are constructing within the first place.
Launching lean doesn’t suggest reducing requirements — it means prioritizing readability over complexity. Get a easy model stay, then iterate. Early customers do not count on perfection — they need progress. Velocity beats polish.
5. I wager an excessive amount of on search engine optimisation, not sufficient on neighborhood
Early on, I employed an search engine optimisation company to create keyword-optimized content material. However most of my precise site visitors got here from Reddit, the place I had been partaking immediately with communities.
That also holds true as we speak. My best-performing site visitors continues to come back from natural conversations, not weblog content material. The lesson? Your very best clients are already hanging out someplace. Discover them, present up authentically, and give attention to what’s truly driving outcomes, not what’s purported to.
Go the place your customers already hang around. Be helpful in these areas. Authenticity scales higher than search engine optimisation methods, particularly early on.
6. I underestimated how briskly AI evolves
Even after spending a 12 months immersed in generative AI, I used to be nonetheless caught off guard by how briskly issues moved as soon as I launched. What felt groundbreaking one month felt outdated the subsequent.
It is thrilling, but it surely’s additionally exhausting. Making an attempt to maintain up with each new growth is a recipe for burnout.
As a substitute of chasing traits, I’ve discovered to construct round steady, lasting worth. Maintaining issues — however not on the expense of your sanity or technique.
Begin easy — be taught quick
If you happen to’re a solo founder in AI, this is my recommendation: Do not attempt to create demand from scratch. Discover an underserved viewers, meet a transparent want and launch quick. Do not fall in love along with your imaginative and prescient. Fall in love with fixing issues.
You need not get all of it proper — simply get it on the market, be taught and preserve going.
Once I launched PhotoPacks.AI, I did not have a crew or funding. Simply an concept: supply studio-quality headshots, powered by AI, for a fraction of the price of a standard photograph shoot. As we speak, the product works, and it is rising steadily. However I’ve discovered numerous classes the exhausting manner.
Listed below are seven errors I made early on, and what I might do otherwise if I needed to begin over.
1. I attempted to construct for everybody, and transformed nobody
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